History of the Glastonbury Festival

The Glastonbury Festival is one of the largest and most famous music and performing arts festivals in the world. Held annually near Pilton, Somerset, in the United Kingdom, the festival is known for its eclectic lineup, expansive site, and vibrant atmosphere. Glastonbury has become a cultural phenomenon, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees and showcasing a wide range of music genres, arts, and entertainment. Its history is rooted in the counterculture movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s, and it has since evolved into a globally renowned event.

Origins and Early Years (1970–1978)
The Glastonbury Festival traces its origins to the vision of Michael Eavis, a dairy farmer who organized the first festival on his land in 1970. The festival was originally called the Pilton Pop, Folk & Blues Festival, and it took place on September 19, 1970, the day after the death of guitarist Jimi Hendrix, which added a sense of poignancy to the event.

First Festival (1970): Inspired by the Isle of Wight Festival, which featured artists like Jimi Hendrix and The Who, Michael Eavis decided to host his own festival. The first Glastonbury Festival attracted around 1,500 attendees, and tickets were priced at just £1, with free milk from the farm included. The headline acts were T. Rex, Al Stewart, and Stackridge. Despite its modest size, the festival planted the seeds for what would become a major cultural event.

Glastonbury Fayre (1971): In 1971, the event was rebranded as the Glastonbury Fayre and moved to the summer solstice in June. Organized in part by Andrew Kerr and Arabella Churchill (Winston Churchill’s granddaughter), this edition had a more countercultural and spiritual focus, reflecting the growing influence of the hippie movement. Acts like David Bowie and Hawkwind performed, and the festival was free to attend, funded by donations. The festival also saw the construction of the first Pyramid Stage, designed by Bill Harkin, inspired by the pyramids of Egypt.

Break and Return (1978): After the 1971 event, the festival did not take place again until 1978, when Eavis organized a small “free festival” for 500 people. This low-key revival paved the way for future iterations.

1980s: Growth and Expansion
The 1980s marked a period of growth for the Glastonbury Festival, as it began to develop into the large-scale event it is known for today.

1981 Glastonbury Festival: In 1981, the festival was renamed the Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, emphasizing its broader scope beyond just music. This festival saw the introduction of the CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) as a charity partner, with a portion of ticket sales going to support the anti-nuclear cause. The festival also established itself as a June event, becoming synonymous with the summer solstice.

1982 Onwards: Throughout the 1980s, the festival continued to grow in size and reputation, attracting major artists and increasingly diverse audiences. Acts like The Smiths, Van Morrison, and Elvis Costello headlined during this decade. The iconic Pyramid Stage became a permanent fixture in 1981, and the site expanded to accommodate more attendees, eventually reaching tens of thousands by the late 1980s.

1985: The traveler community became a prominent part of Glastonbury during the 1980s, contributing to its alternative and bohemian atmosphere. However, tensions between travelers and local authorities led to confrontations at future festivals.

Charity and Social Causes: Throughout the 1980s, Glastonbury’s association with charitable causes became more pronounced, with proceeds supporting CND, Oxfam, Greenpeace, and other organizations, a tradition that continues to this day.

1990s: The Festival Goes Mainstream
The 1990s saw Glastonbury evolve into a mainstream festival, attracting global attention and massive crowds.

1990 Battle of Yeoman’s Bridge: The 1990 festival was marked by violent clashes between security staff and New Age travelers, which led to heightened tensions around the event. The festival took a break in 1991 to address safety and organizational issues.

1992 Revival: When the festival returned in 1992, it had a more structured and organized approach. The BBC began covering the festival in the early 1990s, bringing Glastonbury to a wider audience. The Pyramid Stage was rebuilt after it was destroyed by fire in 1994.

1994 and 1995: Glastonbury became increasingly associated with Britpop and the alternative rock movement during this time. Acts like Oasis, Pulp, and Blur defined the mid-1990s festivals. The 1994 festival also featured an emotional performance by Johnny Cash, considered one of the most memorable in the event’s history.

Massive Crowds and Challenges: By the mid-1990s, the festival’s popularity exploded, with 1995 seeing record attendance. However, this rapid growth led to organizational challenges, including crowd control, infrastructure issues, and illegal entry by fence-jumpers.

1999 Super Fence: By the late 1990s, crowd safety and security concerns led to the introduction of the “super fence” in 1999, which significantly reduced illegal entries and helped improve festival management.

2000s: Global Recognition
The 2000s marked Glastonbury’s ascent as a globally recognized festival, with high-profile performances and significant expansion.

2000–2002: The early 2000s saw legendary performances by artists such as David Bowie, who returned in 2000 for one of the festival’s most iconic sets, and Coldplay, who performed in 2002, cementing their status as one of the biggest bands in the world.

Hiatus in 2001: Due to concerns about overcrowding and safety, the festival took a break in 2001. When it returned in 2002, new measures were put in place to ensure a safer and more organized event, including the aforementioned super fence.

2000s Headliners: The decade featured diverse headliners, including Radiohead, Paul McCartney, and Beyoncé. The festival increasingly embraced a broader range of genres, including hip-hop, pop, and electronic music, reflecting its growing international audience.

2005 Mud and Rain: The 2005 festival became infamous for its muddy conditions after heavy rain turned the site into a quagmire. Despite the weather, the event was a success, with performances by Coldplay and The White Stripes among the highlights.

2010s: Iconic Moments and Continued Evolution
In the 2010s, Glastonbury continued to be a global cultural institution, known for attracting the biggest names in music while retaining its countercultural roots.

2011 Beyoncé: Beyoncé’s performance in 2011 made headlines as she became the first female solo artist to headline the Pyramid Stage in over 20 years. Her electrifying set marked a new era for Glastonbury, appealing to a wider, more diverse audience.

2013 Rolling Stones: The Rolling Stones headlined Glastonbury for the first time in 2013, attracting a record-breaking crowd. Their performance was widely regarded as a historic moment for the festival.

Political Engagement: In 2017, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn made a memorable appearance, speaking to a crowd of tens of thousands. His appearance underscored Glastonbury’s continued association with social and political causes, as the festival remained a platform for progressive activism.

Environmental Focus and Future
Green Initiatives: Glastonbury has become increasingly committed to environmental sustainability, with recycling programs, waste reduction, and initiatives to ban single-use plastics. In recent years, the festival has partnered with Greenpeace and other organizations to raise awareness about environmental issues.

2020 and 2021 Cancellations: The festival was set to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2020, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event was also canceled in 2021 for the same reason, marking a significant disruption in the festival’s long history.

Cultural Impact and Legacy
The Glastonbury Festival has become more than just a music festival—it is a cultural phenomenon that embodies the spirit of community, creativity, and activism. It has evolved from a small, grassroots event into one of the world’s premier music festivals, known for its diverse lineup, iconic performances, and commitment to social and environmental causes.

The festival has featured a wide array of genres, from rock, pop, and indie, to hip-hop, electronic music, and world music.

Glastonbury remains a platform for art, theater, comedy, and political discourse, offering a wide range of experiences beyond music.

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